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Given their perpetual need for bodies up front, that could lead them to a former 3-4 lineman like Ziggy Hood or Tyson Jackson, both first-round picks who failed to develop as planned in their first stops. If Shaun Phillips leaves, I wonder if the Broncos would target Jared Allen on a one-year deal to serve as their primary pass-rusher while Miller recovers from his ACL tear. And with question marks at cornerback, if they don’t sign Rodgers-Cromartie and they release Bailey, the Broncos could target one of the top cornerbacks on the market, like Aqib Talib or Sam Shields. DeAngelo Hall would even make sense on a lesser contract.

FWIW, Barnwell also sees Eric Decker, Zane Beadles, and Champ Bailey back on team-friendly contracts, plus new deals for several key youngsters. Of course, we'll be looking at all of this in depth once the offseason hits.

“That was misread,” Rodgers-Cromartie said on the swaying Cornucopia Majesty cruise ship Wednesday morning. “I’m definitely not retiring. What I’m saying is when I look at the history of the NFL and these guys that come up with one-year contracts, that’s it for them.

As for Mike Klis's suggestion that how DRC performs on Sunday will affect the market for him in free agency, that's as ridiculous as claims that the SB will determine Peyton Manning's legacy. And no, Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger didn't get their contracts based upon one game, either.

Davis, a third-year player, will wear No. 72 with the Broncos. He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. The University of Louisiana-Lafayette product has seen action in three career games with Tennessee (2010) and Cleveland (2012).

Five of the six players signed in the past eight days are former Browns (Davis, Ryan Miller, Jordan Norwood, Eric Hagg, L.J. Fort), meaning they weren't good enough for a team that just went 4-12 and fired its head coach after one season. Great idea, Heckert.

There’s more: Silver reported that running back Chris Johnson and his massive $8 million 2014 salary won’t be back, while NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport was told that Tennessee—very much intrigued by free-agent-to-be Jay Cutler—isn’t expected to pick up the hefty $13 million fifth-year option attached to quarterback Jake Locker.

Really, how much better than a minus-3 point differential and 5-7 record was Munchak supposed to have managed, especially with the improving Locker lost for the season?

King is on the Broncos’ practice squad but Green Bay has offered him a spot on its 53-man roster. The Broncos, though, were trying to keep their fifth-round pick.

“I’d like to stay here,” King said. “But we’re talking about a spot on the 53. It’s a business. We’re still trying to sort it all out. We probably won’t know until (Tuesday) morning.”

We'll presume that Green Bay's interest in Tavarres King stems from the knee injury to WR Randall Cobb, who may be out for as long as a month. Not sure there's anything short of adding him to their own 53-man roster that Denver could do to convince Tavarres to stick around. After all, we're talking about a far higher salary and the potential for NFL playing time.

Franklin went for tests on his ankle and knee on Monday to discover the severity of his injuries. PFT has learned, via a league source, that Franklin is being considered day-to-day with an ankle sprain.

The Broncos had a scare, but they were relieved to learn an MRI exam on Trevathan’s knee was negative.

He is still questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.

If Trevathan is unable to go, it sounds like it will indeed by Steven Johnson playing in his place:

"My goal coming into the season was to be a starter," said Johnson, a second-year undrafted free agent from Kansas. "That didn't happen. I don't wish anybody getting hurt but if I'm asked to step up and get on the field, like I told Wood when we came off the field today: I looked him in the eye and said I will not let you down.' If I get some playing time, I'll be ready."

Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker was held out of Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury and linebacker Danny Trevathan suffered a knee injury during practice and was to be evaluated.

As linebackers go, it's been the Woodyard (279 snaps) and Trevathan (219) show, so the Broncos could need Nate Irving (94) or Steven Johnson (1) - or both - to step up in a big way this week in Dallas.

The week after is the Jags game, for which Jacob Tamme could line up at the Will. After that, Von Miller returns...